The objectives of this research were to evaluate the chemical composition and bioactivity of the essential oil from the long-pepper leaves (Piper hispidinervum) and its effect on the comportment and/or mortality of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). The essential oil was obtained by steam stream distillation, using the modified Clevenger apparatus, the chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS and GC. Tests of ingestion and topical application in fall armyworm of 1 st and 3 rd ínstar were made. The results showed that the long-pepper essential oil has insecticide activity on S. frugiperda, causing mortality and food reduction, and safrole (82%) as its majority constituent. Mortality was found in the ingestion test in larvae of 1 st ínstar LC50 = 16.2 mg/mL for larvae of 3 rd ínstar LC50 = 9.4 mg/mL, with reduced food CD50 = 0.72 mg/mL; and acute toxicity test of the contact topic with LD50 = 277.91 μg/larvae, after an interval of 96 hours, neurotoxicity symptoms were also observed, as knock-down effect.
Fall armyworm; Safrole; Integrated pest management
